IDA figures welcome but more needs to be done to ensure sustainable job growth - Cullinane

Senator
David Cullinane, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation said
today in response to the publication of the IDA report for 2013:

"The
increase of employment in foreign direct investment is to be welcomed and
reflects the energy and commitment of the IDA. Large multinationals account for
around 20% of employment and should complement jobs growth in the wider
domestic economy.

"Sinn
Féin believes that FDI employment should be both sustainable and deliver jobs
across the regions most affected by unemployment. It is extremely disappointing
that the IDA has failed again to reach its own target of 50% of jobs outside of
Dublin and Cork. Many areas have not even had one investment visit over the
past number of years.

"The
Minister needs to put in place initiatives to support and promote employment
across the regions and such as a pilot IDA regional office for the South East.

"With
regard to sustainability, it should be noted that over 6,000 jobs were lost in
this sector last year and significant challenges remain with the international
community focusing on this states facilitation of tax avoidance. The IDA needs to identify how many of these
jobs are companies abusing tax loopholes, including the ‘Double Irish’, and how
many are recruited from abroad or through internal company transfers. "There is a need for openness and
transparency in these figures."